2-PS1-3 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object.

PS1.A A great variety of objects can be built up from a small set of pieces

One of the aspects of NGSS that appeals to me is the thoughtful vertical articulation, which provides a solid base and depth of science and engineering practices and big idea science concepts. This is evident in the cited 2nd grade standards above.

Through planned lab experiences, students' concepts of structure and properties of matter evolves. Through the grades, this concept is developed, as students explore the nature of atoms.

In 2nd grade the focus is on the idea that a variety of objects can be built from a small set of pieces, eventually in future grades they will learn about the elements and how these make most of the materials on Earth. I touch on this concept with the kiddos in this lesson.

Will they completely get what I am saying? Maybe some will. Am I planting a seed? Sure. Is it foreign to the kiddos? No. Throughout the year, when we work with salt or water, discuss oxygen, carbon dioxide. I introduce the chemical name for these materials. So when the students see the periodic table for the first time in this lesson, I can point out oxygen, hydrogen, sodium ... and students start to make connections, or seeds are planted for future discussion.

Elemental Chart to Do or Not to Do

Developing a Conceptual Understanding: Elemental Chart to Do or Not to Do

Design a Pattern

Design a Pattern

Unit 5: Unit 5 Matter and Its Interactions
Lesson 11 of 11

Objective: SWBAT design a pattern with a set number of pattern blocks and compare the number of designs made by the class.

Collect paper plates for each student. (Students will use the card stock pattern blocks and glue to the paper plate)

Material

paper plates

pattern blocks

baggies

glue sticks

dividers to allow students to work on their projects individually

Great reference for the Periodic Table of Elements: I have included this because later in the lesson, I make a connection to the set number of elements on the periodic table are combined to make most of the materials found on Earth to the pattern block designs, a set number of pattern blocks are can create at least 24 different designs.

Resources (1)

Resources

Science starts with a question, usually written on the board. This allows time for students to consider today's topic before the lesson has officially begun. I have established this routine to keep transition time short and effective and redirect student's attention back to content while allowing time for focused peer interaction.

I project a set of pattern blocks that each student will work with.

Question for the Day: If each of have the same number and same shapes of pattern blocks could each of you make a different design? Why?

I read the question to the students and point to the pattern blocks. Students turn and share their idea with their partner. I listen to student reasons. When I see students turning back to face me, I ask, "So you agree we could make 2 different designs? 3?"

Volunteers share their reasons, which I write on the board.

"What if you had this one hexagon to work with? How many different designs could we make? What if you had the hexagon and a triangle. How many different designs could you make?"

I present these questions because I want the students to discuss if the design would be the same depending on which side the triangle shared with the hexagon. This will help set the parameters for the class's definition of a different and unique design.

Depending on student engagement, I may pursue this line of discussion by adding one more triangle or square.

"O.K. it sounds like you have come up with some properties that describe a unique and different design."

I write student ideas on the board and allow time for students to discuss and revise the design properties.

Students agreed that if the shape could be rotated to look like the other shape it was the same. The class agreed that the shapes needed to touch either side to side or vertex.

"I have one property that I would like to add to our list, every design must have a hexagon in the middle."

Most students addressed the 'hexagon in the middle' criteria. I originally included this criteria because I wanted to keep the designs compact if the kiddos were going to transfer the designs to paper plates.

Next time I would leave the paper plates out and hexagon criteria out. Students could make the design on construction paper.

"Hmm now that we have the properties for a unique and different design, I think it is time for you to give it a try!

Please return to your desk and I will pass out your materials and explain the next steps."

Resources (1)

Resources

"To give you a chance to work out your own design, and not have to concern yourself if you are making a design different than your neighbors, I will pass out the dividers so that you can focus on your design first. Then when everyone is done, we will remove the dividers to share your designs."

I pass out the dividers, paper plates and pattern blocks. To save time the pattern blocks have already been sorted into individual baggies.

As students work on creating their designs, I walk around the room to view designs and answer questions.

"I see that most of you are about finished with your design. Everyone has 5 more minutes to finish your design and then the dividers come down!"

I pick up the dividers and invite students to go on a gallery walk and tally how many different designs they see.

Some students chose to make a T-chart to keep a record of the designs that were different vs. the same.

I remind them not to touch any of their classmates' designs. I encourage students whose designs might be the same to discuss with their classmate to see if it is possible to change something in one of the designs to make it different.

All the kiddos had different designs.

When students are finished with their gallery walk, I signal students to the rug to share observations and to write a class conclusion.

Through this process I scaffold the concept that from a few pieces we were able to create a number of designs.

Art time is used to transfer student pattern designs to 2D pattern block templates. The designs are glued to a paper plate. Or photographs could be taken of the designs for students to redesign later, or the photos could be published.

Students' work and the class conclusion will be posted on a bulletin board.

Optional Part of the Lesson

I introduce the elemental chart. "Remember when we talked about the chemical name for water, h2o, and salt, NaCl? If you look on the chart, we can find the parts that make the water and salt.

"Chemists and nature combine these elements to make all the things you see around you, the materials and objects. Just like you were able to combine the pattern blocks to make different designs, the elements combine to make solids, liquids and gases."